Rams Week 15 report card: Grading every position vs. Eagles

The Los Angeles Rams suffered their second straight loss on Sunday, falling 30-23 at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. It was another shaky performance by the offense and the defense didn’t do enough to help the cause, while the special teams unit coughed up a late-game fumble.

Here’s how we graded every position group from the Rams’ Week 15 loss.

Quarterback

For the second week in a row, Jared Goff gets a failing grade. No, his numbers weren’t as bad on Sunday as they were against the Bears, but the level of competition was far lower. He was facing a depleted secondary that had just allowed 455 yards and three touchdowns to Dak Prescott, who didn’t have a single 300-yard game prior to Week 14.

Goff was missing open receivers and making bone-headed decisions in the pocket, like the interception he threw after tripping over John Sullivan. It’s difficult to say exactly what Goff’s issue has been these last three weeks, but it starts with his footwork and decision-making.

Grade: F

Running back

Despite suffering a knee injury that clearly hindered him in the second half, Gurley put forth a gutsy effort to stay in the game and remain relatively effective. He finished with 12 carries for 48 yards and 10 catches for 76 yards. Gurley also added two touchdowns on the ground, and while it wasn’t his best game ever, it was a valiant one. He stepped up knowing only John Kelly was left behind him, staying in the game to help his team.

Grade: B+

Wide receiver

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Josh Reynolds’ stat line doesn’t look great after he caught just five of 12 targets for 70 yards, but four of those incompletions came on passes that were essentially uncatchable heaves by Jared Goff at the end of the first half and the end of the game. Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks were effective with 74 and 59 yards, respectively, catching 81 percent of the passes that came their way. It wasn’t a standout game for any of the Rams’ wideouts, but it was what we’ve come to expect from them.

Grade: B+

Tight end

Most of Gerald Everett’s damage came on the Rams’ final drive when he caught three passes for 19 yards, but he did have a nice 20-yard grab earlier in the game. Tyler Higbee caught both of his targets but for just 14 total yards.

Grade: B-

Offensive line

A lot has been made about Goff’s struggles, but the Rams’ offensive line has not been very good in recent weeks. John Sullivan was bullied by Fletcher Cox, Rob Havenstein had some trouble with Michael Bennett and the interior pressure was too much for Goff to handle.

Grade: C-

Defensive line

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams only hit Nick Foles three times and didn’t have a single sack as Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh were both shut out – the second straight week Donald’s been held without a sack or tackle for loss. Suh has become a disappointment for the Rams, recording only a half-sack in his last nine games.

Michael Brockers was washed out a lot against the run, too, struggling to plug up holes and make key stops. The defensive line as a whole has to be better in the next few weeks and into the playoffs.

Grade: D

Inside linebacker

Cory Littleton bounced back after struggling against the Bears, but he still wasn’t great on Sunday. He was caught guessing a couple of times, leaving big holes for running backs, and had a hard time getting off blocks.

Mark Barron wasn’t any better, though he did provide slightly better coverage than usual. Still, this unit has regressed since the start of the season and it may be time to give Ramik Wilson or Micah Kiser some playing time.

Grade: C+

Outside linebacker

Dante Fowler Jr. surprisingly played limited snaps, but perhaps it was because he had almost no success against the Eagles’ offensive line. He had just two tackles and didn’t hit Foles once, failing to make an impact. Samson Ebukam, the only other outside linebacker to play meaningful snaps, wasn’t any better, making just three tackle assists all game long. If Donald is going to be doubled inside, someone on the edge has to win one-on-one matchups.

Grade: D+

Cornerback

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Take away Aqib Talib’s clutch interception and the cornerbacks get a much lower grade. However, that play was huge and kept the Rams in the game, allowing them a chance to win at the end. Still, Talib was picked on by Foles and Alshon Jeffery, allowing a few big plays.

Marcus Peters was slightly better and didn’t have any real lapses in coverage, with the same going for Nickell Robey-Coleman.

Grade: B-

Safety

John Johnson is an absolute stud at safety for the Rams, repeatedly making big plays on Sunday. He broke up a would-be touchdown, made two key third-down stops and led the team with 14 tackles. Lamarcus Joyner also had a solid performance – aside from inexplicably allowing two receivers to get behind him for a 50-yard gain – improving once again this week. Johnson is the real star of the show for L.A., though.

Grade: A

Special teams

JoJo Natson’s fumbled punt return didn’t cost the Rams the game, but it made it far harder for them to come back. Johnny Hekker nearly completed a pass for a first down and averaged 56.3 yards per punt, but none of them were pinned inside the 20. Greg Zuerlein was steady, as usual.

Grade: C+

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